Hillary Clinton’s ‘Hard Choices’ Retrospective Part Two: Across the Pacific Chapter 5 The Dissident

The most crucial thing on Hillary's agenda for May 2, 2012 was not reflected on her public schedule as released by the State Department. Nor was her first stop at the Wanhousi Temple.

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for May 2, 2012

May 2, 2012 by still4hill |

A self-taught lawyer, activist, and hero of the people had, with her approval and instructions, been provided refuge at our Embassy Beijing, and blind and injured, stood to disrupt all negotiations at that year's U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

Having made his way to the embassy despite his disability and the physical injuries incurred on his journey to Beijing, Chen Guangcheng had captured media attention and a great deal of American sympathy and Chinese faith.  While Hillary believed and acted strongly from her heart that we needed to move on his behalf, his figure, in a few venues - our embassy and a Chinese hospital -  threatened to hang between two great nations that were still performing a middle school fox trot.

In this chapter, Hillary recounts how she first hears of Chen's plight prior to leaving for the very important U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, and made an executive decision to accept him at the embassy (and rescue him in order to do so).

There were a several bumps in that road.  Hillary managed to pave them.

Was there ever any doubt?

Hillary Clinton’s Statement on Chen Guangcheng

May 2, 2012 by still4hill |

She made no reference, as she states, to Chen.

Secretary Clinton at Opening of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue **Video Added**

May 3, 2012 by still4hill |

Hillary Clinton at EcoPartnerships Ceremony

May 3, 2012 by still4hill |

Chen Guangcheng: State Department Update

May 4, 2012 by still4hill |

Video: Hillary Clinton – Timothy Geithner Press Conference in Beijing

May 4, 2012 by still4hill |

Video: Secretary Clinton on U.S.-China Relations in the 21st Century

May 4, 2012 by still4hill |

Hillary ends this chapter with some comments that, on first reading, appear meant to explain China and its way of thinking to the American reader.  When I read it again, I thought it just as likely that she also embedded a message there for the Chinese by expressing that rather than wishing to contain China (the Chinese fear) the U.S. seeks cooperation with China for the common good.

As we know, Hard Choices has been effectively banned in China, but we hope that embedded message manages to get through the Great Firewall.

Hillary Clinton’s ‘Hard Choices’ Effectively Banned in China

June 27, 2014 by still4hill |

In the Wake of the Chinese Ban Simon & Schuster Share a Hillary Clinton Excerpt on China

June 27, 2014 by still4hill |